France pip fuming Wales in chaotic finale

Mar 18, 2017 - 9:24 PMWales coach Rob Howley was fuming over a controversial substitution and a biting allegation during his team's last-gasp 20-18 defeat by France in the Six Nations on Saturday.

France scored a try 20 minutes after the end of normal time to seal victory after a bizarre end chaotic end to the game.

The clock showed 99 minutes and 55 seconds when replacement flanker Chouly dotted the ball down after nine penalty scrums on Saturday.

Camille Lopez slotted over the conversion as France saved their place in the second pot ahead of the 2019 World Cup draw.

Wales had victory in their sights when Leigh Halfpenny's sixth penalty gave them a 18-13 lead but France won a five-metre penalty scrum with one minute left.

Howley said replacement prop Uini Atonio's substitution by starter Rabah Slimani in stoppage time was unlawful and that there was evidence Welsh winger George North had been bitten.

"The integrity of the game has been brought into disrepute," Howley told a news conference.

"What happened in the last moments of that game shouldn't ever happen again. One of the coaches had a word with their doctor and within a minute of that their tighthead went off. The evidence suggests that it's not in the integrity of our game."

Slimani had earlier been replaced but he was allowed back on when Atonio went off for a head injury assessment.

Howley believes the substitution was planned, suggesting that Slimani should not have been allowed to come on again.

"Slimani warming up prior to him going back on. One of their coaches outside the technical area had a conversation with the doctor, and within a minute of it, the tighthead was taken off," Howley said.

"There is a technical area and you are not allowed outside that. Ultimately, someone has come outside that and allowed the doctor to go on at a break in play, which is outside the laws of the game."

Asked whether France had cheated, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said: "I would not use that word but I think there will have to be someone looking at it."

France coach Guy Noves said his team had followed due process.

"They told me he was injured so I took my responsibilities," he said.

North claimed that he was bitten during the closing stages of the match.

"It's gone to the TMO (television match official). The evidence was inconclusive in terms of the images that were shown to the referees and ultimately they've made a decision on that and it's absolutely fine," Howley said.

"I am sure you can ask George if you can have a look at his arm. There is evidence to suggest that there is a bite."

France started well, going ahead when Remi Lamerat collected a subtle chip over the top from Lopez and dived over the line.